Post-fledging movements of Cinereous Vultures Aegypius monachus in Turkey revealed by GPS telemetry

YAMAÇ E., BİLGİN C. C.

ARDEA, vol.100, no.2, pp.149-156, 2012 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 100 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2012
  • Doi Number: 10.5253/078.100.0206
  • Journal Name: ARDEA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.149-156
  • Keywords: Aegypius monachus, Cinereous vulture, GPS-GSM telemetry, habitat use, juvenile dispersal, satellite tracking, EAGLES AQUILA-CHRYSAETOS, DISPERSAL, SURVIVAL
  • Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Yamac E. & Bilgin C.C. 2012. Post-fledging movements of Cinereous Vultures Aegypius monachus in Turkey revealed by GPS telemetry. Ardea 100: 149-156. We studied the movements, home ranges and roost site preferences of three first-year Cinereous Vultures Aegypius monachus after they fledged at the Turkmenbaba Mountains, Eskisehir, western Turkey. We captured chicks at the nest in 2009 and 2010 and fitted them with GPS-GSM transmitters. After fledging, we received a total of 993 locations from all birds during 105-148 days of tracking. Tracked birds initially used small foraging areas, covering a mean 90% kernel home range of 356 +/- 134 SE km(2), and on average moved <10 km per day. As they started to migrate, daily movements increased to 59.3-120.3 km on average and took place largely during midday. Birds preferred to roost at sites with higher altitude, steeper slope and more wooded land. Our data suggest that first-year birds from Turkey disperse south in October and November to desert habitats in middle latitude Arabia, and may cover up to 2765 km during migration.